A Peer has raised questions over how legislation to redefine marriage would affect laws on royal succession.
The issue was raised as the House of Lords debated the Succession to the Crown Bill, which proposes a number of changes surrounding laws on the monarchy.
Lord True, who brought forward an amendment on the issue, told a newspaper: “What happens if we have a lesbian queen in a same-sex marriage who conceives using an egg implanted with donor sperm?
Thought through
“The law should be clear, but this is a question that has not been thought through in the Bill.”
However, the Government said that the amendment was not necessary.
Lord Wallace of Tankerness, a Government law officer, told the House of Lords: “The laws governing the succession require that the heir must be the natural-born child of a husband and wife”.
Reflect
However Lord True, while removing his amendment on the issue, commented: “This may seem fanciful or long in the future, but I believe Parliament should reflect on it”.
He added: “I believe the question will inevitably arise.”
Earlier this year Paul Flynn MP said a child of a ‘royal gay marriage’ should be an heir to the throne, even if the child is not genetically connected to the royal line.
Conflict
Speaking in relation to the Succession to the Crown Bill, he said he wanted to “future-proof the legislation to ensure that every conceivable situation is catered for”.
Mr Flynn added: “The legislation will guide and protect future generations of royals from unexpected conflict and discrimination”.
In March last year Peter Bone MP warned of the constitutional implications of marriage being redefined.
Implications
Mr Bone said if same-sex marriage is allowed, a lesbian Queen could reign on the throne with a Queen consort.
This would put the monarch’s role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England at risk, sparking a constitutional crisis.
He also warned that a homosexual monarch who conceived a child by sperm donor or surrogate would raise further questions, as the donor would have a right to a peerage and could gain regal rights.
Speaking about the same-sex marriage plans, Mr Bone said the Government seems “to be rushing this through without thinking of the broader implications”.